Welcome! Your Premium Travel Experience Starts Here Hello, I’m Claire MacInnes – your trusted Travel Counsellor. I run my independent, tailor-made travel business in partnership with Travel Counsellors, which empowers me to offer you an exceptional, truly personal service. Every conversation, trip, and traveller matters deeply to me – it’s my business, my passion, and your journey. With over 25 years’ experience across the travel industry, I bring an expert’s touch and a world of insight. My background includes roles as a tailor-made travel agent, Australia & New Zealand specialist, airline executive, and corporate account manager. After seven wonderful years living in New Zealand, I’m proud to be a New Zealand citizen, bringing you first-hand perspective and knowledge about this breath-taking country. I’ve also lived and worked in America and Australia, and my own travels have taken me throughout Africa, Asia, Europe and beyond. Clients often ask me to name a favourite destination – an impossible question! New Zealand’s outstanding natural beauty will always hold a special place in my heart, Laos charmed me with its warmth, and wildlife encounters in Rwanda and China are unforgettable. From the serenity of Tibet to the luxurious hotels of Antigua, each experience shapes my love for travel and inspires me to share that joy with you. Travel is both my passion and my profession. I’ve supported clients through global challenges, be it 9/11, volcanic ash clouds, health emergencies or airline disruptions. My clients always have someone reliable and accessible in their corner, offering genuine care and expert guidance when it matters most. You deserve more than an algorithm or call centre. I’m here to deliver reassurance, bespoke recommendations, and true peace of mind – whether it’s sitting on hold for your refund, finding the best way home, or designing a holiday that’s uniquely yours. I work from home and am always on hand, meaning you benefit from concierge-level service and personal care at every stage of your trip – before, during, and after you travel. Ready for your next adventure or luxury escape? Allow me to take care of the details, so all you need to do is relax and enjoy. Contact me today to start planning your bespoke holiday story.
My customer stories
Sent by Lynda Simpson
Cambridgeshire 26/01/2026
Claire was absolutely fantastic from start to finish. She really took the time to understand exactly what we wanted from our holiday and, importantly, didn’t deviate from that brief at all. In these challenging times, when family holidays are a significant expense, it was so refreshing to work with someone who genuinely respected our budget. While it may not have been our “dream” luxury getaway, Claire helped us create something far more important — a family holiday that we truly needed and will all enjoy. Her care, attention to detail, and honesty made the whole process stress-free, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her to anyone looking for a travel counsellor who really listens.
Sent by Henry Wood
Southend on Sea 23/01/2026
Excellent support fast professional service and a really great deal, beat anything I could find
Sent by Alice Wagner
West Yorkshire 14/01/2026
Claire is fabulous. I would not hesitate to recommend her to my family and friends.
Sent by Niamh Ellwood
Bishop's Stortford 14/01/2026
We are so happy we have found Claire. We received a recommendation through a work colleague to reach out to Claire to discuss our hopes to do the Norwegian Fjords cruise. Claire provided so much useful information and answered all of our questions. Within days of initially reaching out, we had the cruise booked. We have gained so much insight into what to expect from the cruise, our room we have booked is in a perfect location onboard, we wouldn’t have been able to do it without Claire’s knowledge. Thank you so much and we will definitely be booking via Claire again x
Sent by Ellen Clancy
London 14/01/2026
Claire is very responsive, helpful and ensures I get the best package at a reasonable price, all this is much appreciated.
Sent by Colin Campbell
Edinburgh 05/08/2025
Claire was very helpful and kind had a lot of knowledge about my trip to Australia.
Sent by Sylvia Powell
London 05/08/2025
We are so grateful to Claire for planning our holiday to Protaras, Cyprus, in October to celebrate our first year wedding anniversary! From start to finish, Claire has been professional, attentive, and genuinely invested in making our trip perfect. She took care of every detail — from the beautiful hotel with stunning sea views to arranging airport transfers and advising the hotel it’s our anniversary. Claire really listened to what we wanted and made sure everything was just right, helping to create the perfect setting for our special occasion. We couldn’t have asked for a better travel consultant and we’ll absolutely be coming back to her for our future adventures. Thank you, Claire, for everything!
Sent by Rebecca Barnes
George, South Africa 22/04/2025
The service I received from Claire blew me away! She worked quickly and efficiently to secure our family the best flights to suit our varying needs - and we required four itineraries! I would not hesitate to recommend Claire and will be using her for all our future travel planning!
Sent by Neville Broadbent
Suffolk 19/11/2023
Claire makes the most brilliant arrangements for my holidays and I would recommend her services wholeheartedly.
Sent by Marion Dewar
London 28/09/2023
Claire searched and continued to search for the best options for my trip to Belize next year - the best prices and the most convenient routes. Although I had worked in the travel industry for many years, I don't have the most up to date information and might have been caught out by some airlines not including baggage in their lowest fares. And having been let down by BA on a European trip earlier this year, I now feel confident that I have the support of Claire and her colleagues in case of delays or cancellations.
Sent by John Robertson
Glasgow 21/09/2023
Excellent service advice and guidance and a prompt response every time. Like having our old high street travel agent back to help avoid the pitfalls of online DIY booking.
Sent by Colin O Shea
Essex 29/08/2023
Travel Counsellor Claire MacInnes went over and above board to accommodate my requirements, and for this I will be most grateful, and would recommend her every time. Thank you Claire!
Sent by Ellen Clancy
London 25/07/2023
Thank you, Claire, as always so helpful and patient with my frequent changes!
Sent by E Clancy
London 14/09/2022
As usual, Claire has been fantastic, and very patient with me especially since I made a mistake with some of my travel dates! Thank you Claire, I really appreciate all your hard work getting me the itinerary I wanted!
Sent by Bethany Mason
Wigan 14/09/2022
Claire found me a great deal when i enquired for a holiday, unfortunately the deposit was too much for me which is out of Claire’s control, so i picked a new destination and had it booked within hours of Claire finding it, she kept on top of my enquiry and kept in contact the whole time, and answered lots of questions that i had, thank you Claire!
Sent by Alibek Mukhanov
London 14/09/2022
Claire has been exceptional in helping us plan our honeymoon. We are a young couple, who don't usually have the means to afford such extravagant trips, but Claire really listened to our initial requirements (and then feedback after the first wave of suggestions) and now we are both really excited and looking forward to our trip! Claire is easy to reach and always responds. We hope she will continue to support us as we fly off to our honeymoon in Greece!
Sent by Rachel Lewis
Berkshire 14/09/2022
Claire was helpful and patient and able to offer us a number of options. I’m not a very experienced traveller, but Claire explained clearly the various options.
Sent by N Hibbert
Chester 14/09/2022
Claire has gone over and above with our booking and I would not hesitate in recommending her or travel counsellors to my friends and family. Thanks so much Claire for all of your help
Sent by A Morley
London 14/09/2022
Wonderful service. Very prompt replies to my questions.
Sent by Jill Glover
Shropshire 14/07/2022
There was nothing too much trouble that Claire couldn’t sort out for me. So friendly and knowledgeable and answered all my questions. Although my holiday isn’t until next year I feel confident all is in hand with Claire.
Sent by Chris W
Lancashire 20/06/2022
Claire has been wonderful from start to finish, our requirements continually changed during the time when we were booking, but Claire was quickly able to get updated quotes to us. Thanks Claire.
Sent by V Smith
LONDON 07/02/2022
Great service from Claire. She was very responsive, a good communication and sensitive to our requirements.
Sent by Theo G
LONDON 31/01/2022
This is the first time I have used travel counsellors to arrange a holiday and I cannot recommend the experience more highly. I decided to use travel counsellors due to very difficult and stressful personal circumstances and Claire has been incredibly patient with me throughout the decision-making and booking process.
Sent by Tessa Richmond
London 31/01/2022
I’ve already recommended her to two people. What a helpful, knowledgeable and professional lady!
Sent by Samuel Boniface
London 14/01/2022
Claire was fantastic. Her knowledge, enthusiasm and experience helped us plan our perfect honeymoon. We received professional and personal service at all times and our emails were always answered the next day. We felt our honeymoon was personal to Claire, she wasn't just booking us a holiday, she was helping us plan the trip of a lifetime. We really can't say enough good things about her, she was fantastic!
Sent by Ellen Clancy
LONDON 27/10/2021
Claire was brilliant, helping me plan a trip to 2 different countries that was turning into something very stressful and costly when I tried to do it on my own. Thank you!
Sent by Richard S
LONDON 11/10/2021
I found Claire to be extremely helpful and responsive - and has tried her very best to find us a good, flexible deal (and we're very excited about the holiday we have booked). The service has been great. It's a long time since I booked through a travel agent (like most people I always do it myself online) but actually, the convenience of going through Travel Counsellors is great. And as far as I can tell, it's no more expensive than if I booked with the hotel/airline directly. So overall, top marks!
Sent by Nicole Weavers
LONDON 29/07/2021
Hi, I just wanted to say a huge thank you for your help with the Covid testing information. You explained all the regulations and saved me a fortune.
Thank you
Based in
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My personally tailored offers
With independent access to thousands of travel suppliers around the world, I've got an eye for added value. Take a look through my latest selections below. But even if nothing particularly catches your eye - don't worry! Let's chat and I'll take the hassle away from tailoring a perfectly personalised holiday just for you.
Price from
£4,499
Discover the many sides of South Africa
15 nights from £4,499
per person
15 night escorted South Africa adventure: Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route and Eastern Cape safari. Cable cars, wine tasting and wildlife, with all the logistics taken care of.
My Videos
Galápagos cruise July 2026 £7,669
29/01/2026
Galápagos cruise July 2026 from £7,669pp, incl Quito stay & 8-night MS Santa Cruz II voyage, save up to 30%
Discover South Africa:
28/01/2026
Discover South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route and Eastern Cape safari in one escorted 15 night journey from £4,499 per person
Authentic Arizona ranch escape:
26/01/2026
Authentic Arizona ranch escape: 7 nights Tanque Verde Ranch with breakfast, car hire & BA flights from London. From £2,099pp, 20 Sep 2026. Book by 30 Jan 2026.
Uncover Mediterranean magic aboard Celebrity Xcel
23/01/2026
Sail the Italian & French Riviera in style on brand-new Celebrity Xcel: Magic Carpet Sky Suite, gourmet dining and iconic ports from Barcelona to Naples.
St Nicholas Bay Crete
22/01/2026
St Nicholas Bay Crete. Sea-view escape from Gatwick: 7 nights in a Classic Junior Suite, half board, private transfers included. 5 May 2026, from £1,299pp.
Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab
21/01/2026
Indulgent 7‑night escape at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Dubai from £4,245pp. Private marina, beach, spa & fine dining. Message me to tailor your luxury stay.
Escape Blue Monday
19/01/2026
Blue Monday feeling flat? Swap the blues for blue‑sky thinking: from Iceland’s lagoons to Santorini sunsets, I’ll design your bespoke escape. #TravelCounsellors
Pine Cliffs
16/01/2026
Enjoy £185 off a 7-night Algarve escape at 5* Pine Cliffs Ocean Suites. Stay in a Junior Ocean Suite with clifftop views, coastal walks and time to relax.
My Blog
I absolutely live and breathe travel and I love to write about my experiences! Please take a look through my posts - you might find your own holiday inspiration.
If you dream of waking up beside mirror-still lakes, drinking your morning coffee while looking out at snow-capped mountains, and deciding your plans for the day based on nothing more than “let’s see where the road goes”, then a motorhome holiday in New Zealand might be perfect for you.
I was lucky enough to join the S.S. Joie de Vivre in Paris for a mini cruise on the river Seine. Joie de Vivre means the “joy of living” and stepping onboard this luxurious ship you can see how it earned its name. The ship was extraordinary, elegant with handcrafted furniture, fine antiques, original artwork including a Picasso. I slept in a bed that cost $10,000! It was so comfortable I didn’t wa
One of my most memorable trips was visiting the gorillas in Rwanda, which I did as part of an overland trip with Dragoman. We had to hike for four hours into the mountains, but it was more than worth it. We even saw one of the remaining gorillas from Dian Fossey’s famous study. We also saw the only twin gorillas in existence at that time. It was truly a magical experience watching the youngsters r
I was 22 when I first went to Australia. Fresh out of university, I decided to take a year to explore the world before settling into a “real” job. Looking back, that decision changed the course of my life.
I landed in Cairns, backpack on, heart racing, and absolutely no idea just how much this country would capture me. From there I made my way down the east coast to Brisbane, soaking up the tropi
New Zealand - I loved it so much I became a Kiwi!
One of the most beautiful countries I’ve ever visited is New Zealand. In fact, I loved it so much I made it my home for over 7 years.
I first travelled there in 1996, as part of a work trip. I was already an Australian travel specialist and I wanted to learn more about its neighbour. We landed in Christchurch on the South Island and I visited Dun
I was lucky enough to honeymoon in the beautiful Amalfi Coast. We flew into Naples where I had the best pizza I’ve ever eaten and stayed one night. We then picked up our hire car, the stunning Fiat Barchetta and drove to Sorrento. Driving in Italy is not for the fainthearted, we saw a lot of chaotic driving, and banged up cars and vespas and that’s before we got to the road of a thousand bends
Locals love to brag that Antigua is home to 365 beaches. That's a beach for every day of the year! A beach! Every day! Whilst I cannot confirm if there are indeed that many, the three different resorts I stayed at had the most amazing beaches: Carlise Bay, Blue Waters and Gally Bay. What is not open to debate is that a holiday in Antigua will provide pure relaxation and (what we ALL need) a change
Whatever your holiday needs I'm here to help you, so simply give me a call or send me an email with your contact details on and I can get things started for you:
